Play time

Kagome sat in the garden soaking up the morning sun. A gentle breeze rustled her hair, and it was pleasantly warm. It was the start of a beautiful day. Katsurou had been too restless and full of energy. His transformation would happen that night, and it always agitated him. His grandmother had saved him from his lessons and brought him outside to play.

Lady Manako stood in a blue kimono and long fur with a small wooden sword in her hand. Katsurou stood several feet away, brandishing his own small-sword. She took a step and lounged at him. He dove to the right and rolled away. He leapt forward to make a jab at her, only to be knocked aside by her sword. Round and Round, they went sparing. Katsurou laughed joyfully at the fun he was having.

Kagome felt Sesshoumaru approach before he sat down next to her.

"Good morning, Sesshoumaru-sama."

"Hn."

Kagome clenched her fists into her kimono as her son got knocked down. Katsurou grinned and jumped back up, ready to attack again.

She let out a breath; she didn't realize she had held.

Sesshoumaru's arm slid around her shoulder and pulled her closer to him.

Her heartbeat sped up, and her face flushed. "Sesshoumaru-sama?"

After speaking with his mother, she had a whole new perspective on these encounters. While he might seem apathetic at times, his actions spoke loudly of other intentions.

He leaned in close to whisper into her ear. The light scent of lavender and Kagome surrounded him.

"Do not worry. She is only teaching him."

"Teaching?"

"Hn. Swordplay."

Her mouth formed an "oh" as she watched them play.

Kagome's concern was unfounded; Sesshoumaru knew what his mother was doing. She had played this game with him when he was a child. Katsurou didn't realize it yet, but his grandmother was imparting ancient knowledge to him. Every step she took, and forced Katsurou to take, were important. She was molding him into an excellent swordsman. The strategies that she was teaching him now would be second nature to him when he was older. He will have learned to think and move swiftly; lessons that Inuyasha had sorely missed.

Lady Manako dropped the play sword after Katsurou had made a move to knock it out of her hands.

"ACK! You have beaten me! Have mercy, great lord!" She said, falling to the ground clutching her chest. Katsurou pointed his wooden sword at her face.

"Surrender!" He demanded.

His grandmother growled back. "Never!"

She pounced on him, dragging him to the ground.

He squealed with laughter as she ran her fingers over his ribs tickling him.

Kagome laughed softly at their antics. She did not realize when she had done it but she had leaned into Sesshoumaru, and he had not moved to withdraw his arm from around her.

They sat together, as though they were a couple, and she…didn't feel upset about it. Instead she felt lighter, and happier than she had in many years. It was a beautiful day, her son was happy, and she allowed herself to live that moment. For a few precious moments she would not think about the looming war, or the threats to their lives.

She felt…content.
Was this to be her future? Sesshoumaru had said that she had options. She could stay a widow until she died.

But…

Did she really have that choice, especially when her heart felt differently?